The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Carlos Scott - Misión GloCal
Date: 02.08.2011
Location: Buenos Aires | Argentina
Category: Partnership, Leadership Development, Integrity and Anti-Corruption
The idea of “integrity” is something that is complete. It is whole, without missing parts, full, perfect, with appropriate weight and measure. When referring to a person, it’s about the pure, proven, without cracks.
When we speak of mission, we are sharing in the mission of our missionary God; we’re not working on a private project. We are fulfilling the missio Dei. Our mission is to share his mission.
“Partnership” is about koinonia (Philippians 1:5), fellowship, solidarity, contribution, reciprocity, equity, something that is shared—either a purpose or an experience, suffering, persecution, weakness and strength, realities and common privileges, sharing time, worship, wealth, or money. Everything we have must be shared.
Partnership is the thread that weaves everything together. The first thing shared in the context of the church is faith. Koinonia of faith results in koinonia in actions. Sharing faith comes first and defines practical cooperation, but such faith must lead to practical engagement with tangible consequences.
As the Body of Christ, we have a common future and identity. This involves welcoming others, forgiving one another, humbling ourselves, becoming less—not claiming superiority over another. Our identity and future show we have the same feelings and are unified in following the Father’s plans. It includes understanding our different cultures and helping each other—becoming open to others and doing what Jesus would have done.
The Blind Man, Bartimaeus The story of the blind man, Bartimaeus, teaches us many lessons about evangelization, fellowship, integrity, and solidarity. Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:46-52).
Many passages in Mark highlight the fact that the disciples did not understand this. Their minds were numb—they lacked clarity and a complete vision. The key is the ability to see. We often find ourselves struggling with the same thing as disciples. We do not see with clarity, and we do not understand. We need to achieve a clearer vision of mission, evangelization, and fellowship (partnership).
We may find ourselves in the middle of a process, like the blind man at Bethsaida(Mark 8:22-26). But in this process there is hope (the blind man of Bethsaidaand blind Bartimaeus were eventually able to see). The disciples saw as well. We, too, can achieve a clearer vision of the mission we have now. But there is a price to pay: following Jesus and the process of receiving sight go hand in hand.
Jesus showed he valued humanity by being available. The blind man’s answer, "I want to see," was his response, and he was healed. It was a miracle of Jesus; his faith healed him. He decided to follow Jesus and there was transformation.
In his Gospel, Mark presented a very sharp contrast between the aspirations of the disciples and those of the blind man. While the disciples asked for status and privilege, the blind man answered, "Rabbi, I want to see."
Mark attributed value to the main character of the text by stating his name. He was not a nameless beggar. This was very significant. We must learn the way Jesus responded to each person’s need. Bartimaeus was an outcast. He was considered a sinner, excluded from the covenant, excluded economically, excluded from the appreciation and esteem of others due to his blindness.
Where Do We Go from Here? Some lay hands on, pray for, and ask for healing for the one in need. Others seek to deal with the economic situation, teach the person to read Braille, get a dog guide, help them find a job, or create awareness of the person’s condition. Some respond through the ministry of the body, where the person finds love, appreciation, forgiveness, and acceptance. Still others quickly tell the person to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. With such varied emphases the blind man would know one aspect of Christ, but something would be missing—doing it the Jesus way.
Below are four lessons the story of Bartimaeus can teach us.
First, we must value the individual. Jesus’ method was to open up to the needs of the other person. Faced with Bartimaeus’ cry, Jesus stopped, asked for him to be called, and asked the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" All these actions value the individual—not a method, ideology, or doctrine.
Jesus simply appealed to fellowship, opened up, and showed interest in the other person. This is because fellowship, cooperation, integrity, and solidarity are about sharing life and valuing the other person.
Often, we do not want to ask, "What do you want me to do for you?" We are afraid the person will ask us something unexpected, or worse, something we do not want to give or do. Asking questions causes instability and discomfort. We prefer to be in control and manage our agendas.
Second, we must press forward in faith. This implies self-management, trust, and dependence upon God. The order established according to our capacities can tell us what we can and cannot do. Bartimaeus decided to reject the role the crowd wanted to impose on him. He did not settle for being the blind man, a beggar and quiet. He came on stage at the wrong moment and decided to go to Jesus as his main resource. What was at stake was who Jesus was and what he was for him.
Third, we must learn that to follow Jesus means to leave something behind—whether that is a boat, a cloak, or a way of thinking and acting. Bartimaeus left everything, threw his cloak aside, jumped up, and broke through the crowd. He did not accept the place he had been given. His healing began at the precise moment he decided to meet Jesus. The miracle is to break free from the standards and barriers people set for us or, many times, we set for ourselves.
Finally, we must understand our real need. Perhaps the Lord is working on our life, church, and ministry. He asks, “Do you know what your real need is?” Here are a few questions to ponder as we consider the above points:
No one can be complete, whole, or righteous without being like Jesus Christ.
Carlos Scott - Misión GloCal Dirección: Tinogasta 5684 (1408) Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires - Argentina - Teléfono: 54-11-4642-1036, E-mail: licscott@yahoo.com.ar, MisionGloCal@ciudad.com.ar
Blog Español: http://misionglocal.blogspot.com/ English Blog: http://glocalmission.blogspot.com/
Keywords: Mission, Truth, reconciliation, gospel, witness, church, identity, leaders, humility, missions, unity, theologhy, authenticity, ministry, transformation, relationship, leadership, integrity, dialogue, discipleship, partnership, culture, evangelism
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Comments: 10
Recommendations: 0
Conversation Post Comment
United States
Elisabeth,
I think you are correct when you said that partnership is more than a business relationship. I also believe that in order to be better witnesses of Chirst, we have to learn to break down any barriers in our lives. Only when we do that as Christians, we will see God’s power work in the lives of those who need to hear the gospel.
11.11.2011
United States
Elisabeth,
I think you are correct when you said that partnership is more than a business relationship. I also believe that in order to be better witnesses of Chirst, we have to learn to break down any barriers in our lives. Only when we do that as Christians, we will see God’s power work in the lives of those who need to hear the gospel.
11.11.2011
United States
Partnerships like you said often are formed without thought or understanding as to what one or both of the groups are getting into. On the part of the west where, I have lived and grown up, many decisions have been made hastily which have lead to hardship later in the future. I think this is a great reminder that partnerships should not be taken lightly. They are an investment and a mission, of time, thought, prayer, and often costs many their comfort zones and expansions of ideas.
If someone is truly invested in a partnership it should be visible throughout different aspects of their life. It is not just a business relationship when working for God. God asked fore more than that. Partnerships I feel require compassion for others knowing that there will not be an equal give and take, that this will give and take of one another will fluctuate.
I think it also come with the realization that each will not agree on everything but must have some foundational Biblically based ideas in which they agree, and don’t waver.
10.11.2011
United States
yes padre,
you are correct when you said that there is a lack of koinonia in the lives of the christians. Instead of doing that, they prefer to hang out with the ones that think, dress, and live like them. This is not what Jesus taught us to do. He lived the will of His Father every step of the way. And, most of all, He never made any distinction in humanity regardless of his/her culture or background.
09.11.2011
United States
Good point padre,
we as christians often forget the purpose of doing missions, and we wind up having a vacation trip instead of really engaging in sharing and witnessing about our Lord Jesus Christ. One of the things that we have to be reminded is who do we belong to and represent in the world. If we know what is our identity as christians, then, we will always do missions with a passionate heart for the glory of God.
08.11.2011
United States
@ Ernesto:
Thanks Ernesto. Along with belonging to the Lord, we as Christians are connected as brothers and sisters in Christ. As Carlos noted, "as the body of Christ, we have a common future and identity." I believe one of the hindrances to our witness to the world is the lack of koinonia often share in our churches. Did not Jesus Himself tell us in John 13:35 (NIV) "by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Genuine koinonia is a very powerful witnessing tool. Our world is filled with people who are searching for meaning and acceptance.
08.11.2011
United States
Good point padre,
we as christians often forget the purpose of doing missions, and we wind up having a vacation trip instead of really engaging in sharing and witnessing about our Lord Jesus Christ. One of the things that we have to be reminded is who do we belong to and represent in the world. If we know what is our identity as christians, then, we will always do missions with a passionate heart for the glory of God.
08.11.2011
United States
Carlos, thank you for your thoughts about integrity and partnership as we seek to engage in the missio Dei. I really appreciated how you voiced that our mission is "to share in His mission." Sometimes we as Christians forget that our ministry is ultimately for the glory of God and for the fulfillment of His purposes. Also, I really like your four lessons for how to do ministry the "Jesus way." If our ministry outreach to others is void of genuine love and care, then we are truly a "resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." Ministry must start in our hearts.
07.11.2011
United States
Carlos,
I believe that you made a good point by saying that we should be united in partnership in order to be more effective as we preach the gospel. Not only that, but we also need to understand that God is the God of unity and fellowship. For example, during His earthly mininstry, Jesus developed a perfect fellowship with His Father by praying, giving thanks, being humble, and being obedient as well. That was the key aspect of His ministry.
03.11.2011
United States
you are correct Carlos,
Doing missions is doing God’s mission, instead of working in a private project. I also believe that we have to be united in the same purpose that we are all serving the same Lord. Unity is the only way to be successful as we do missions. I don’t think that Jesus was never a lone ranger during His earthly ministry. He made sure to call the twelve apostles, He spent three years and a half of His life in order to teach them about the urgency to preach the gospel.
24.10.2011
Argentina
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